Winter sleeping bag?

Can anyone suggest how to choose a good winter sleeping bag, which allows actual sleeping at 5 °F and is not more expensive than $250 and not too big?

this product does not exist.

mec.ca/product/5025-643/mec…

-20 C= -4 F, and the current exchange rate works out to $220 for the largest size.

REI might have something similar, if you're looking to buy 'Murrican.
Edit: I see below you're in Europe, so disregard if necessary.
Sleeping bags have the same three temp ratings here, or mine did at least (MH Ultralamina).

most ratings on a bag are the low end rating which is not warm enough for most people to sleep at said temperature so you should go a few degrees warmer. Id go with a -10 or so. The only way you're going to find that for the price you mentioned is to get a synthetic bag, which are pretty bulky and heavy. A good option that is also very versatile is to take a 0 degree synthetic, which can be found for pretty cheap and layer another down 3 season sleeping bag over it. heavy but cheap and gets the job done

One thing to consider is the other gear you'll have with you. I camp pretty regularly in the winter. A few weekends back a friend and I hit somewhere in the neighborhood of -8F in a 0 and 15 degree bag. With the layers we'd brought for ice climbing, both of us slept well enough. If you'll have a lot of other clothes, this might buy you some margin on how warm of a bag you'll need (but don't take too big of chances).

What are you looking for? A backpacking weight bag? Car camping? Somewhere in between? I'd avoid the cheapest bags out there, my 25º REI bag came no where close to living up to that (a 35 was warmer). Not a terrible thing to buy used if you can find a good one.

OK, it can be in the $300 range.

I'm from Europe, and sleeping bags here have 3 temperatures listed: Comfort, Limited Comfort and Extreme. I know from experience that the I can sleep at a given temp if I have a bag with the Limited Comfort temp. in the same range, and if I wear some clothes of course.

I'm looking for a small bag that does not get ruined by frequent rolling (as fur bags do, they say), so I guess it should be a synthetic one.

Basically, I'm asking, is it a big difference between fur and synthetic bags.

For that price I would suggest getting something in the Mountain Hardwear Lamina line up or if you have time watch for sales, gear trade etc.

Bartol wrote:I'm from Europe, and sleeping bags here have 3 temperatures listed: Comfort, Limited Comfort and Extreme.

Well that's just socialism in action, right there.

• shakes head*

Bartol wrote:I'm looking for a small bag that does not get ruined by frequent rolling (as fur bags do, they say), so I guess it should be a synthetic one. Basically, I'm asking, is it a big difference between fur and synthetic bags.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Rab-Ascent-900-Down-Filled-Sleeping-Bag-Right-Zip-/171152601089?pt=UK_SportingGoods_SleepingBags_SM&hash=item27d97d7001

By "rolled" I'm thinking you mean stuffed? If that is the case, then you've got it backward. Most down bags will last far longer than synthetic bags.

Buy a used winter bag on MP that is in good shape. I've seen many listed over the years. Goose down bags will provide a better warmth to weight ratio but are more costly. Some like synthetics because the insulation doesn't shift and create cold spots as well as it maintains better loft when damp or wet.

This is a superb bag:

cascadeclimbers.com/forum/u…

And another:

mountainproject.com/v/for-s…

REI:

mountainproject.com/v/rei--…

Bartol wrote:OK, it can be in the $300 range. I'm from Europe, and sleeping bags here have 3 temperatures listed: Comfort, Limited Comfort and Extreme. I know from experience that the I can sleep at a given temp if I have a bag with the Limited Comfort temp. in the same range, and if I wear some clothes of course. I'm looking for a small bag that does not get ruined by frequent rolling (as fur bags do, they say), so I guess it should be a synthetic one. Basically, I'm asking, is it a big difference between fur and synthetic bags.

Fur sleeping bags? I don't think those have existed for a long, long time. Your choices are down (lightweight, compressible, very warm for their weight, worthless if the down gets wet, and expensive) and synthetic bags (cheap, bulky when stuffed into a sack, easy to clean, still keep you a little warm if they get wet). Good quality down bags are not cheap, but if they are properly cared for they will last a long time. Synthetic bags have gotten better over the years, but they're still not as comfortable and warm as a good down bag. At US prices, $300 will get you a good synthetic bag that will keep you warm at 5 degrees F, but it won't get you a down bag for that temperature. Rab, Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends all make good sleeping bags, and Marmot bags are almost as good. You might want to find a climbing forum in your own country and ask there about sleeping bags that are available where you live.

cascadeclimbers.com/forum/u…

eddie bauer first ascent has a zero degree down bag that's 30% off today. which makes it $300. Promo code "frost". Not sure how they ship int'l though. A partner has the bag and likes it a lot. I have marmot lithium and really like it, but its more $.

Its been said in posts about bags before, but is worth repeating--if you're out in weather that cold, you need to have a good pad to pair with it to stay warm.

Two things - you don't roll a high quality sleeping bag. A child's bag from the department store ("hypermarket") maybe, but never a good bag. It can damage the baffling (down) or quilting (synthetic).

- The answer to your question is quite simple: buy a gently used -10 F down bag.

cyclocamping.com/proddetail…

Here is a marmot 0f bag for $229. I've been sleeping in a 0f bag for years. I've even taken a 0F bag down to -25f in a tent. Two pads make a big difference. In the winter I use one foam and a blow-up.

PatCleary wrote:One thing to consider is the other gear you'll have with you. I camp pretty regularly in the winter. A few weekends back a friend and I hit somewhere in the neighborhood of -8F in a 0 and 15 degree bag. With the layers we'd brought for ice climbing, both of us slept well enough.

Very good beta. If you are sleeping two people in a tent, zip each of your down jackets together for a throwover comforter that can add a lot of warmth.

Norman Kirk wrote:Goose down bags will provide a better warmth to weight ratio but are more costly.

Not if they get wet. If the OP plans to use the bag on a grade V or longer wall, or in a remote area, then selecting a synthetic bag or a down bag with a Gortex shell is a must. Climbers have been rescued off El Cap as a result of a wet sleeping bag that could not keep them warm.

The caveat to down is worth noting, they certainly are less effective when wet. Personally though, in this temperature range, I think a down bag is the way to go unless you're using it right at the car.

Most of the precipitation you'll encounter will be in the form of snow, and even the lightest weight bags seem to deal okay with a little snow (as long as it stays that way). Additionally, I suspect few people are camping exposed to the elements in a cold weather bag. I've had mine (Marmot non-Gore bag) on several multiday adventures from back country tours to a weekend on Mt. Shasta. Even with my 4 season tent's condensation issues, I've never been fearful for my safety. Use some care and common sense, and down will be fine.

El Cap is a slightly different use case than most big climbs in the mountains. Instead of ridges, snow caves and decent ledges, you end up on smallish bivy ledges or on a portaledge, on routes that become waterfalls in storms.

The Army's modular sleep system is good... you get a compression sack inner and outer bags and a goretex bivy. I got mine used for $125 and it works pretty well into the single digits.

If you want me to poke around the shops in my area let me know, send a PM.

wardenssupplyco.com/cart/in…

Supplement with chemical hand warmers and/or boiled water in a Nalgene bottle. And learn how to build a snow shelter which raises the temperature to right around freezing.